HPTDC Posts Historic Rs. 100 Crore Profit: CM Unveils New Tourism Boost Initiatives.
Shimla:
In a major boost to the tourism sector, the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) has recorded a historic profit exceeding Rs. 100 crore for the first time ever. This milestone was announced by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during a high-level review meeting with officials from the HPTDC and the State Tourism Department held in Shimla today.
The Chief Minister credited the remarkable financial performance to the focused efforts and reforms introduced by the current State Government. He noted that the Corporation’s annual turnover has surged from Rs. 78 crore under the previous BJP-led government to Rs. 107 crore now, despite severe natural calamities impacting the region over the past year.
“This success is the result of effective management of HPTDC’s hotels and restaurants, regular upkeep, and optimal utilization of properties,” said CM Sukhu. He added that the profit has enabled the Corporation to clear Rs. 41 crore in pension benefits to its retirees over the last two and a half years—significantly higher than the Rs. 26 crore disbursed in five years by the previous administration.
In line with enhancing tourism infrastructure, the Chief Minister directed the commencement of Hop-on, Hop-off luxury bus services on key local tourism circuits to offer a better experience to travelers. He also emphasized exploring public-private partnerships by leasing out unused HPTDC properties on an operation and maintenance basis.
The CM commended the recently formalized purchase agreement between HPTDC and the Food and Civil Supplies Corporation to ensure a steady and quality supply of ration, groceries, and other essentials to HPTDC-run hotels.
Reviewing various tourism development projects, CM Sukhu stressed fast-tracking initiatives that could generate higher revenue and enrich the tourist experience. The State Government is currently investing Rs. 2,415 crore into developing infrastructure, wayside amenities, and promoting adventure sports to attract more visitors.
The Chief Minister also directed the Tourism Department to distribute food vans to local residents to foster community-based tourism and complete high-priority projects like Shivdham in Mandi district and beautification of Renuka Lake. He emphasized accelerating the operationalization of heliports and ongoing expansion of Kangra, Shimla, and Bhuntar airports to bolster air connectivity and ease tourist inflow.
Present at the meeting were HPTDC Chairman Raghuvir Singh Bali, MLA Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary Devesh Kumar, Director of Tourism Vivek Bhatia, OSD to CM Gopal Sharma, and other senior officials.
